Precursor for ceramic coatings

ABSTRACT

A method of co-hydrolyzing silanes of the formulas HSi(OR)3 and Si(OR)4 to form a soluble resinous co-hydrolysate is disclosed. The method comprises hydrolyzing the silanes with water in an acidified oxygen containing polar organic solvent. The invention also relates to the soluble co-hydrolysates formed thereby as well as the method of using the co-hydrolysates to provide coatings on various substrates, including electronic devices.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/062,621 filed on May17, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method for co-hydrolyzing silanes of theformulas HSi(OR)₃ and Si(OR)₄ to form soluble resinous co-hydrolysates.The invention also relates to the soluble co-hydrolysates formed therebyas well as the method of using said co-hydrolysates to provide coatingson various substrates, including electronic devices.

It is known in the prior art that organotrialkoxysilanes dissolved in asolvent are readily hydrolyzed by water in an acidic environment. See,for example, Eaborn, "Organosilicon Compounds", Butterworth's ScientificPublications, London (1960) p 301. The resultant hydrolysates, however,can be unstable and often condense upon formation to yield insolubleorganopolysiloxane gels.

Similar hydrolysis and condensation reactions are also known to occur inhydridosilanes (silanes with an Si-H bond) with organoxy functionalgroups. The Si-H bonds of these silanes, however, are susceptible tocleavage resulting in the production of insoluble gels. For instance,Muller in Chem Tech 2, 7-13, 41-49 (1950) teaches that the hydrolysis oftriethoxysilane to silanetriol in an alcohol results in the productionof an insoluble gel.

Levene in U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,918 teaches the formation of a gelresistant glass precursor composition which may be heated to form aprotective glass coating. The coating composition is formed by apartially hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide in a solvent, reacting thepartial hydrolysate with an aqueous solution of a metal oxide formingcompound, hydrolyzing this solution with additional water and thenadding an acid to form a stable, gel-free solution. The reference,however, does not disclose co-hydrolyzing silanes.

Hayes in U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,563 teaches a method of hydrolyzing analkoxysilane in which the alkoxysilane is mixed with a stoichiometricexcess of water and an acid catalyst. The resultant hydrolysis mixtureis then neutralized and the hydrolysis products separated. Again,however, this reference fails to teach co-hydrolysis of silanes.

It has now been unexpectedly found that the process of the presentinvention provides a method for co-hydrolyzing silanes to form solubleresins which may be used to form coatings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of co-hydrolyzing silanes of theformula HSi(OR)₃ and Si(OR)₄ to form a soluble resinous co-hydrolysate.R in these formulas is independently an organic group which, when bondedto silicon through the oxygen atom, forms a hydrolyzable substituent.The method comprises first mixing the silanes, an oxygen containingpolar organic solvent, water and an acid. Hydrolysis of this mixture isthen facilitated for a time sufficient to hydrolyze or partiallyhydrolyze the silanes.

The invention also relates to soluble resinous co-hydrolysate polymershaving units of the formula HSi(OH)_(x) (OR)_(y) O_(z/2) and Si(OH)_(a)(OR)_(b) O_(c/2), wherein each R is independently an organic groupwhich, when bonded to silicon through the oxygen atom, forms ahydrolyzable substituent, x=0-2, y=0-2, z=1-3, x+y+z=3, a=0-3, b=0-3,c=1-4 and a+b+c=4.

The invention is also related to a method of forming a coating on asubstrate in which the substrate is coated with the above hydrolysateand the coated substrate then heated to a temperature of between about50° and about 1000° C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to a method of co-hydrolyzing silanes ofthe formulas HSi(OR)₃ and Si(OR)₄ and to the co-hydrolysates formedthereby. These co-hydrolysates are particularly valuable in theformation of coatings.

The silanes co-hydrolyzed in the process of the present invention havethe formulas HSi(OR)₃ and Si(OR)₄. R in this formula can be any organicgroup which, when bonded to silicon through the oxygen atom, formsahydrolyzable substituent. Generally, these organic groups contain 1-20carbon atoms. As such, examples of the hydrolyzable substituents includealkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, or hexoxy; alkenoxysuch as ethenoxy or propenoxy; cycloalkoxy such as cyclopentoxy orcyclohexoxy;aryloxy such as phenoxy; cycloalkenyloxy such ascyclopentoxy; and acyloxy such as acetoxy. The preferred silanes containalkoxy substituents with 1-6 carbon atoms and the most preferred silaneshave methoxy and/or ethoxysubstituents.

The percentage of each silane can be varied over a wide range dependingon the desired product. For instance, the mole percent of HSi(OR)₃ toSi(OR)₄ can vary from about 1/1000 to 1000/1 with a range of from about1/100 to 100/1 being most preferred. It has been discovered, however,that the shelf life of the resultant material is often longer when thisratio is less than about 3/1.

When the above silanes are subjected to the co-hydrolysis conditionsdescribed herein, the hydrolyzable substituents are at least partiallyreplaced with hydroxyl groups and/or Si-O-Si linkages. The novelty ofthisinvention resides in the fact that said hydrolysis occurs withoutcleavage of the Si-H bond and, thus, results in a soluble product.

The above silanes are hydrolyzed in a mixture comprising an oxygencontaining polar organic solvent, water and an acid. The oxygencontainingpolar organic solvent utilized herein is one which is capableof dissolvingthe silanes and promoting hydrolysis. Generally, thesolvent is a base which is capable of hydrogen bonding with theresultant co-hydrolysate forstability. Examples of suitable solventsinclude alcohols such as methanol,ethanol, isopropanol or butanol,polyols such as glycols, ethers such as ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran ordioxane, ketones such as acetone or methylethyl ketone, esters such asmethyl acetate or glycol ethers such as the monomethyl ether of ethyleneglycol or the monomethyl ether of propylene glycol. In addition, theabove solvents may also be mixed with various other miscible solventssuch as toluene or xylene. The preferred solvents herein are alcoholssuch as ethanol, isopropanol, butanol or mixtures thereof.

The solvent or solvents are generally used in an amount which dilutesthe silanes to between about 1 and about 50 weight percent solids,preferably 5-25 weight percent solids. The entire amount of solvent maybe included in the hydrolysis mixture or, alternatively, the silanes maybe diluted for hydrolysis and then the resultant hydrolysate furtherdiluted to provide additional stability.

Water is also included in the hydrolysis mixture in an amount effectiveto hydrolyze or partially hydrolyze the silanes. The stoichiometricamount ofwater necessary for complete hydrolysis can be calculated inthe following manner: 1 mole of water hydrolyses 2/3 mole of HSi(OR)₃ or1/2 mole Si(OR)₄ by the following reactions: ##STR1##and##STR2##Therefore, 1.5 moles of water are needed to completely hydrolyzeevery moleof HSi(OR)₃ and 2 moles of water are needed to completelyhydrolyze every mole of Si(OR)₄.

Generally the stability of the hydrolysate is increased when the amountof water is limited (i.e., partial hydrolysates are formed). Therefore,it isgenerally preferred to use less than a stoichiometric amount ofwater (i.e., an amount of water less than that necessary for completehydrolysis).

An acid or mixture of acids are also included in the hydrolysis mixtureto both catalyze the hydrolysis reaction and stabilize the hydrolyzateonce formed. Generally, most inorganic acids and some organics willfunction herein. Examples of suitable agents include the hydrogenhalides such as HCl or HF, nitric, sulfuric, or carboxylic acids such asacetic. They may be utilized in a concentrated or dilute form in anamount which will acidify the reaction medium (i.e., create a pH lessthan 7). Generally, amounts of greater than about 0.1 weight percentbased on the weight of the mixture of a 5% aqueous acid solution will beeffective with greater than about 0.4 weight percent of said dilutesolution being more preferred.

Once the appropriate amounts of reactants have been calculated, they arecombined to form a hydrolysis mixture. Although any order of mixing thereactants can be used, generally the silanes are dissolved in thesolvent and then the acid and water added to the solution.

Some hydrolysis usually occurs when the above components are combined.To increase the rate and extent of reaction, however, variousfacilitating measures such as temperature control and/or stirring areutilized. For example, stirring the mixture with the application of mildheat in the range of 40°-100° C. for 0.1-24 hours will generallyproducea desirable hydrolysate.

In addition to the silanes, modifying ceramic oxide precursors may alsobe included in the above mixture and cohydrolyzed to a hydrolysate.Examples of such ceramic oxide precursors include compounds of variousmetals such as aluminum, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium and/orvanadium as well as various non-metallic compounds such as those ofboron or phosphorous which may be dissolved in solution, hydrolyzed, andsubsequently pyrolyzed, at relatively low temperatures and relativelyrapid reaction rates to form ceramic oxide coatings.

The above ceramic oxide precursor compounds generally have one or morehydrolyzable groups bonded to the above metal or non-metal, depending onthe valence of the metal. The number of hydrolyzable groups to beincludedin these compounds is not critical as long as the compound issoluble in the solvent. Likewise, selection of the exact hydrolyzablesubstituent is not critical since the substituents are either hydrolyzedor pyrolyzed outof the system. Typical hydrolyzable groups include, butare not limited to,alkoxy, such as methoxy, propoxy, butoxy and hexoxy,acyloxy, such as acetoxy, or other organic groups bonded to said metalor non-metal throughan oxygen such as acetylacetonate. Specificcompounds, therefore, include zirconium tetracetylacetonate, titaniumdibutoxy diacetylacetonate, aluminum triacetylacetonate andtetraisobutoxy titanium. The modifying ceramic oxide precursor isgenerally present in an amount such that the final ceramic coatingcontains 0.1 to 30% modifying ceramic oxide.

In the case of highly reactive modifying ceramic oxide precursors whichcontain substituents such as propoxides, isopropoxides, butoxides,isobutoxides or acetylacetonates, the modifying ceramic oxide precursorsand silanes can be premixed and heated to reflux in ethanol for 24 hoursto afford a homogenous reaction mixture which can be hydrolyzeduniformly and at a controlled rate. However, attempts to pre-hydrolyze amixture of the above mentioned highly reactive modifying ceramic oxideprecursors andsilanes without the condensation reaction results inpreferential and rapidhydrolysis of the modifying ceramic oxideprecursor over that of the silanes, resulting in rapid, non-homogenousgelation of the reaction mixture.

An alternative method of cohydrolyzing the reactive modifying ceramicoxideprecursors would be to hydrolyze the silanes as disclosed supra,followed by adding the reactive modifying ceramic oxide precursor andless than or equal to a stoichiometric amount of water for hydrolyzingsaid modifying ceramic oxide precursor to the hydrolysate solution. Whenthe hydrolysis of this mixture is facilitated as discussed supra, auniform, soluble hydrolysate results.

The above co-hydrolysates may also be catalyzed by the addition of aplatinum or rhodium catalyst which assists in increasing the rate andextent of ceramification on pyrolysis. Any platinum or rhodium compoundorcomplex which can be solubilized in this mixture will be operable. Forinstance, an organoplatinum composition such as platinum acetylacetonateor rhodium catalyst RhCl₃ [S(CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₃)₂₁₃, obtained from DowCorning Corporation, Midland, Mich. are all within the scope of thisinvention. The above catalysts are generally added to the solution in anamount of between about 1 to 1000 ppm platinum or rhodium based on theweight of resin in solution.

During the formation of the hydrolysate, partial condensation is likelyto spontaneously occur. The resultant resinous hydrolysate, therefore,is a polymer containing units of the formula:

    HSi(OH).sub.x (OR).sub.y O.sub.z/2 and Si(OH).sub.a (OR).sub.b O.sub.c/2

wherein R is as defined for the silane, x=0-2, y=0-2, z=1-3, x+y+z=3,a=0-3, b=0-3, c=1-4 and a+b+c=4. The resin is soluble in the acidifiedsolvents disclosed herein and its stability contingent primarily on thedegree of hydrolysis and condensation.

The above resins can be used to form coatings on substrates. The methodof forming such coatings generally comprises applying a solution of theresinto the surface of a substrate and then pyrolyzing the coatedsubstrate. Themethod of coating substrates can be, but is not limitedto, spin coating, dip coating, spray coating or flow coating. Otherequivalent means, however, are also deemed to be within the scope ofthis invention.

The solvent in the coating solution is then allowed to evaporate fromthe coated substrate resulting in the deposition of a preceramic resincoating. Any suitable means of evaporation may be used such as simpleair drying by exposure to an ambient environment, by the application ofa vacuum or mild heat (eg., less than 50° C.) or during the early stagesof the heat treatment. It is to be noted that when spin coating is used,the additional drying period is minimized as the spinning drives offthesolvent.

Once the coating is applied, it is then heated to a temperatures in therange of about 50° C. to about 1000° C., depending on the pyrolysisenvironment. Such environments can include, for example, air, oxygen,oxygen plasma, inert gases, water vapor (eg., steam), ammonia, amines,other oxidizing gases such as nitrous oxide, and the like.

Such heating is generally continued for a time sufficient to convert theresin to silica. Time periods in the range of a few minutes for verythin films to several hours for very thick films, depending on thetemperature,are generally useful herein. It is particularly preferred toheat the coated substrates at a temperature of about 100°-600° C. forupto about 6 hours.

Any method of heating such as the use of a quartz tube furnace, aconvection oven, or radiant or microwave energy is generally functionalherein. Similarly, the rate of heating is generally not a criticalfactor,but it is most practical and preferred to heat the substrate asrapidly as possible.

Upon heating, these hydrolysates are converted to smooth layers ofamorphous silica. These layers have found particular utility in coatingelectronic circuits wherein they may serve as a protective planarizingcoating to preserve the integrity of the circuits against environmentalstress or they may function as a dielectric for use in multilayereddevices. They may be applied directly on the circuit surface or they maybe applied on a primary passivated circuit surface to seal the bondpads, pinholes and cracks of the primary passivation. These coatingsalso provide an adherent surface for subsequently applied coatings. Suchsubsequent coatings include, for example, additional passivating and/orbarrier layers as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,855 which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

The following nonlimiting examples are provided so that one skilled inthe art may more fully understand the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A mixture was prepared by combining 2.738 g of HSi(OEt)₃, 3.471 g ofSi(OEt)₄, 8.951 g of isopropyl alcohol, and 0.840 g of water containing3 drops of 5% aqueous HCl. The mixture was stirred and heated to 60°-70°C. for 45 minutes and then allowed to cool. To the resultant mixture wasadded 4.0 g butanol.

The above mixture was spin coated on a 1" silicon wafer at 3000 RPM for35 seconds. The coated wafer was heated at 450° C. for 3 hours inammonia and ammonium hydroxide vapor. The FTIR spectra on the siliconwafer showed the typical Si-O-Si band at 1062 cm⁻¹ and the absence oftheSi-H band at 2245 cm⁻¹ and the SiOH band at 3200- 3700 cm⁻¹. The coatingwas 0.6483 micrometers thick and the refractive index was 1.427 (8300gamma).

EXAMPLE 2

A mixture was prepared by combining 4.105 g of HSi(OEt)₃, 1.735 g ofSi(OEt)₄, 9.321 g of isopropyl alcohol, and 0.840 g of water containing3 drops of 5% aqueous HCl. The mixture was stirred and heated to 60°-70°C. for 45 minutes and then allowed to cool. To the resultant mixture wasadded 4.0 g butanol.

The above mixture was spin coated on a 1" silicon wafer at 3000 RPM for35 seconds. The coated wafer was heated at 450° C. for 3 hours inammonia and ammonium hydroxide vapor. The FTIR spectra on the siliconwafer showed the typical Si-O-Si band at 1062cm ⁻¹, the absence of theSi-H band at 2245 cm⁻¹ and a trace of SiOH. The coating was 0.6801micrometers and the refractive index was 1.405 (8300 gamma).

EXAMPLE 3

A mixture was prepared by combining 4.927 g of HSi(OEt)₃, 0.695 g ofSi(OEt)₄, 9.539 g of isopropyl alcohol, and 0.840 g of water containing3 drops of 5% aqueous HCl. The mixture was stirred and heated to 60°-70°C. for 45 minutes and then allowed to cool. To the resultant mixture wasadded 4.0 g butanol.

The above mixture was spin coated on a 1" silicon wafer at 3000 RPM for35 seconds. The coated wafer was heated at 450° C. for 3 hours inammonia and ammonium hydroxide vapor. The FTIR spectra on the siliconwafer showed the typical Si-O-Si band at 1062cm ⁻¹, the absence of theSi-H band at 2245 cm⁻¹ and a trace of SiOH. The coating was 0.6269micrometers thick and the refractive index was 1.418 (8300 gamma).

EXAMPLE 4

A mixture was prepared by combining 1.368 g of HSi(OEt)₃, 5.206 g ofSi(OEt)₄, 8.587 g of isopropyl alcohol, and 0.898 g of water containing3 drops of 5% aqueous HCl. The mixture was stirred and heated to 60°-70°C. for 45 minutes and then allowed to cool. To the resultant mixture wasadded 4.0 g butanol.

The above mixture was spin coated on a 1" silicon wafer at 3000 RPM for35 seconds. The coated wafer was heated at 450° C. for 3 hours inammonium hydroxide vapor. The FTIR spectra on the silicon wafer showedthetypical Si-O-Si band at 1062 cm⁻¹, the absence of the Si-H band at2245cm ⁻¹ and a trace of SiOH. The coating was 0.6443 micrometers andtherefractive index was 1.418 (8300 gamma).

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Shelf Life                                                                    Ex      Mole Ratio    Percent     Shelf                                       No      HSi(OEt).sub.3 /Si(OR).sub.4                                                                Hydrolyzed  Life                                        ______________________________________                                        2       3/1           86          2 weeks                                     3       9/1           90          1 week                                      4       1/3           80          7 months                                     C*     1/0           90          1 week                                      ______________________________________                                        C*  control  only triethoxysilane hydrolyzed                              

That which is claimed is:
 1. A stable mixture comprising an acidifiedoxygen-containing polar organic solvent and a soluble resinousco-hydrolysate comprising a polymer having units of the formulaHSi(OH)_(x) (OR)_(y) O_(z/2) and Si(OH)_(a) (OR)_(b) O_(c/2), whereineach R is independently an organic group which, when bonded to siliconthrough the oxygen atom, forms a hydrolyzable substituent, x=0-2, y=0-2,z=1-3, x+y+z=3, a=0-3, b=0-3, c=1-4, a+b+c=4 and the ratio ofHSi(OH)_(x) (OR)_(y) O_(z/2) units to Si(OH)_(a) (OR)_(b) O_(c/2) unitsis 1:3 or less.
 2. The mixture of claim 1 wherein R is an alkyl of 1-6carbon atoms.
 3. The mixture of claim 1 wherein the solvent is presentin an amount such that the co-hydrolysate is diluted to between about 1and about 50 weight percent solids.
 4. The mixture of claim 1 wherein aplatinum or rhodium catalyst is additionally present.
 5. A stablemixture comprising an acidified oxygen-containing polar organic solventand a soluble resinous co-hydrolysate comprising a polymer having unitsof the formula HSi(OH)_(x) (OR)_(y) O_(z/2) and Si(OH)_(a) (OR)_(b)O_(c/2) and modifying ceramic oxide units, wherein each R isindependently an organic group which, when bonded to silicon through theoxygen atom, forms a hydrolyzable substituent, x=0-2, y=0-2, z=1-3,x+y+z=3, a=0-3, b=0-3, c=1-4, a+b+c=4, the modifying ceramic oxide unitis the condensed hydrolysate of a modifying ceramic oxide precursorcomprising an element selected from the group consisting of titanium,zirconium, aluminum, tantalum, vanadium, niobium, boron and phosphorouswith at least one hydrolyzable substituent selected from the groupconsisting of alkoxy or acyloxy, and the ratio of HSi(OH)_(x) (OR)_(y)O_(z/2) units to Si(OH)_(a) (OR)_(b) O_(c/2) units is 1:3 or less. 6.The mixture of claim 5 wherein R is an alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms.
 7. Themixture of claim 5 wherein the solvent is present in an amount such thatthe co-hydrolysate is diluted to between about 1 and about 50 weightpercent solids.
 8. The mixture of claim 5 wherein a platinum or rhodiumcatalyst is additionally present.